Straw projectile shooter



May 26, 1970 R. L. PHILLIPS 3,513,819

STRAW PROJECTILE. SHOOTER Filed May 31, 1966 IN VEN TOR.

United States Patent 3,513,819 STRAW PROJECTILE SHOOTER Ralph L. Phillips, Salt Lake City, Utah, assignor to Specialty Ideas, Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah Filed May 31, 1966, Ser. No. 558,541 Int. Cl. A63b 65/02; F41b 11/00 US. Cl. 124-11 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to amusement devices, and more particularly to a device for propelling straw projectiles by means of air pressure.

The concept of launching a projectile has long captured the imagination of a childs mind, particularly now in the days of space and rocket flight. Toy devices designed to propel miniature projectiles are well-known in the prior art. One such type includes a projectile device designed to be used with a compressed air launcher. Another type of projectile launcher utilizes mechanical apparatus such as a spring actuated launcher. Still another type of projectile launcher is operated with an explosive charge.

The present invention involves still another novel concept of launching projectiles. It is simple in design and is made of inexpensive materials. The invention utilizes build-up air pressure as a means of propelling a tubular projectile such as an ordinary soda straw or the like. The invention uses an ordinary flexible vessel, for example, a plastic detergent botle, which is sealed with a cork stopper. The cork is provided with an axial bore hole drilled through its center. A projection tube is inserted through the cork part way into the interior of the bottle. A straw, having one end sealed with a cork or the like, is then inserted into the projection tube. A rapid compression of the bottle will generate a pressure pulse of compressed air which will be transmited through the projection tube thereby launching the straw projectile.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel amusement device for propelling a tubular projectile by means of compressed air.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a projectile device which is simple in operation and inexpensive in cost.

These and other important objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in connection with the ensuing description and appended claims, as well as the attached drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the projectile device partly in section;

FIG, 2 is a view of the projectile device illustrating the operation of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

In the drawings, the straw shooter is generally indicated by the numeral 10. A conical cork stopper 12 is shown mounted in the mouth opening 14 of a flexible vessel 16, forming an air-tight seal between the mouth opening 14 and the peripheral edge of the cork stopper 12. The flexible p CC vessel 16 is shown preferably as a plastic bottle, such as the type used to hold liquid cleaners or detergent, and includes a substantial air cavity 18, as shown. The cork stopper 12 is provided with a bore-hole 20 cut completely through its axis.

An elongated projection tube 22, having an outside diameter of approximately the same dimension as the bore hole 20, is placed within the bore hole 20. This forms an air-tight seal between the cork stopper 12 and the projection tube 22. A projectile 24, in the shape of a cylindrical elongated tube, may be preferably a common soda straw. The end section of the straw projectile 24 is closed by means of any suitable stopper, such as a small cork 28. The cork stopper 28 is conical in shape and adapted to fit within the end section of the straw projectile 24. The larger base 30 of the conical cork stopper 28 has a greater diameter than the inside diameter of the projection tube 22. The inside diameter of the projection tube 22 is slightly larger than the diameter of the straw projectile 24. Thus, the straw projectile 24 may be placed within the projection tube 22, yet will not pass therethrough because of the cork stopper 28 which will engage the end section of the projection tube 22. The fit between the straw projectile 24 and the inside of the projection tube 22 is somewhat snug to allow a minimum passage of air therebetween, yet there is sufiicient space to provide for freedom of movement between the projectile 24 and the projection tube 22.

' In operation, the cork stopper 12 and the projection tube 22 mounted therein are placed in the mouth opening 14 of the flexible bottle 16 forming a tight seal at that .point. The straw projectile 24 is then placed within the projection tube 22 allowing the small cork stopper 28 to snugly fit into the end section of the projection tube 22. The flexible bottle 16 is then rapidly compressed by preferably squeezing with the fingers, as shown in FIG. 2, thereby building up an air pressure which acts against the closed end of the straw projectile 24. Because the small cork stopper 28 is snugly fitted into the end of the projection tube 22, there is a momentary resistance to the air pressure, thereby allowing the pressure to build up. When the air pressure reaches the critical point, the cork stopper 28 is forced free from the end of the projection tube 22, but notfree from the straw projectile 24. The air pressure then acts through the straw projectile 24 against the cork stopper 28, forcing the straw projectile 24 through the projection tube 22 thereby launching it into the air.

Skillful operation of the asmusement device will result in a trajectory in excess of fifty feet. The projectile may be launched in any direction by merely aiming the mouth opening 14 of the flexible bottle 16 in the desired direction.

It will be appreciated that the above description is illustrative only and not limiting. Any type of flexible vessel may be used which can accommodate a cork stopper and can be compressed to build up an air pressure therein. Furthermore, the projectile need not be a straw having a. cork in its end since any elongated tubular cylinder with a closed end section will operate in the same manner.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. 'It is therefore to be understood that within'the scope of the appended claim, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

What is claimed is:

1. An amusement device adapted for use to propel projectiles from a flexible vessel by means of air pressure including:

(a) a means for sealing the flexible vessel having a tubular passage defined therethrough from the interior of said vessel to ,the exterior thereof; and,

3 4 (b) a tubular stra-W sealed by a stopper at one end and 85,704 1/1869 Snow et a1. 124-11 open at the other end adapted to be positioned within 1,332,335 3/ 1920 Grosvenor 215-7 3 said tubular passage and to be propelled t erefrom 2,093,189 9/1937 'Edmunds 21573 by an air pressure built up by compressing the fieX- 2,512,313 6/ 1950 Dritz 124-12 ible vessel, said stopper of said straw adapted to 5 3,309,082 3/1967 Hindrnan 124-11 make a press fit with the end of said tubular passage 3,353,823 11/1967 Sobel 124-11 in order that pressure be built up Within said vessel before said straw is launched from said passage. GEORGE J. MARLO, Primary Examiner References Cited 10 -R. W. DIAZ, Asslstant Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS U.S. Cl. X.R.

2,315,242 3/1943 Briggs 273-1065 273-1065 3,062,550 11/1962 Trzesniewski 124-11 

